p. 313 | TWO WONDERFUL OBSCURATIONS by D. T. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 13, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 20

TWO WONDERFUL OBSCURATIONS.

By D. T. Bourdeau

BY ELD. D. T. BOURDEAU.

I REFER to the darkness of May 19, 1780, and to that which spread over our earth during the last three hours that the Saviour hung on the cross. Matt. 24: 29; 27: 45; Mark 15: 25, 33. Both these obscurations were remarkable in many respects, but especially in that they were not caused by eclipses.

In the “Life of Edward Lee,” published by the American Tract Society, the darkness of May 19, 1780, is called “unnatural.” It is also asserted that the day on which it occurred was “very terrific.” Noah Webster, speaking of it, says, “No satisfactory cause has yet been assigned.” The Boston Gazette of May 22, 1780, says, “Such a phenomenon was never before seen by the oldest person living.” Yet many then living had witnessed more than one eclipse. In Robert Sears’ “Guide to Knowledge,” we find the following: “The causes of these phenomena are unknown. They certainly were not the result of eclipses.” And why were they not the result of eclipses? Because eclipses of the sun can take place only at the time of the new moon, but this darkness occurred in the full of the moon.

The same is true of the notable darkness that occurred at Christ’s crucifixion, which took place at the time of the passover, about the middle of the month, and consequently about the time of full moon (Ex. 12: 6, etc.); for the new moon marked the beginning of the month. “The new moon,” says the Encyclopædia of Religious Knowledge, “was always the beginning of the month, and this day they called Neomenia, new-moon day, or new month.” They did not begin the month from that point of time when the moon was in

conjunction with the sun, but from the time at which it first becomes visible after that conjunction. And to determine this, it is said they had people posted on elevated places, to inform the Sanhedrim as soon as possible. Proclamation was then made, “‘The feast of the new moon! The feast of the new moon!’ and the beginning of the month was proclaimed by sound of trumpet.” See also Eccl. 43: 6; Maccabees, Josephus, Philo, etc.

How impressive, therefore, must have been this sudden, unnatural darkness in the midst of the hellish triumph of the Jews while Christ hung on the cross! It must have been a powerful check upon their wicked exultations. The mighty earthquake that marked the death of the great Sufferer, was another well-directed voice from Heaven, betokening victory through Him who had fallen a victim to cruel hatred. Well might those who witnessed these scenes smite their breasts, and exclaim, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

How appropriate was this extraordinary darkness when the Son of God was suffering for sinners! Sympathizing nature was robed in gloom, and wept and groaned at the sight. And how fitting the obscuration of May 19, 1780, as prefiguring the end of the world and the fearful doom that awaits those who, not having forsaken their sins and accepted Christ as their Saviour, shall perish in their sins.

May 19, 1780, nature wept, as it did when Christ was suffering for sinners. The brute creation, governed by mere instinct, were impressed that something more than ordinary was transpiring, and either retired as when night comes on, or sought man’s society as if asking his protection, reverentially bowing at the voice of God in nature. And shall we regard with indifference this leading, unmistakable token of Christ’s second coming and the end of the world? The most pious persons then living viewed this event as a sign of the Judgment. Some feared the Judgment day had already come. We should naturally expect that those witnessing an event designed of God as a token that the coming of Christ is near, would be led to think of the Judgment day.

Sinners trembled at a similar scene when Christ was suffering, yet most of them hardened their hearts and continued their aggressive work, waxing more and more bold and defiant. So in regard to the darkness of 1780. And thus are being fulfilled the prophetic words of Peter: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming; for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Pet. 3: 3, 4.

But God’s word is fulfilling, his promises are sure, and we will rejoice in the blessed hope.